You know how every once in awhile we get kind of nervous that we are selling something that could be worth a fortune for too little, this is one of those times. We simply don’t know anything about antique perfume bottles and the prices on the internet run from reasonable into the thousands. So, as always, we look to Rue’s ashes and ask for guidance and spin a wheel in our heads. It comforts us to know that Rue would love fans getting deals on her site. This piece is gorgeous and it is the tallest in Rue’s entire antique crystal perfume bottle collection at 6.5″ with a 2″ base. It is in excellent condition without any cracks or chips and does marvelous things under the light. We tried to shoot it with different lights off and on so you could see how it changes. Rue first got this piece when her primary residence was the Encino House out in California – during the run of “The Golden Girls” – but she brought it with her to the New York Apartment and put it on the glass shelves by her tub in the master bathroom. There were lights above it on a dimmer and Rue loved the way all the bottles changed depending on how much light she poured on them. This bottle appears to be carved and etched glass and the stopper is glass as well. It comes with a Certificate of Authenticity from Estate of Rue.

UPDATE: We remember putting it somewhere “safe” after the photo shoot, and now can’t remember where that “safe” place is! Was it in a boot? A hatbox? It’ll turn up…eventually.

UPDATE: During the current round of photo shoots we found the bottle inside a glass case that Rue used for jewelry storage. As soon as we saw the box the reason we put it there came back to us – the case is at the very top of the storage area to keep it from being smashed, so it is the safest place for storage of fragile items. Mystery solved.

Stay Tuned…

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Rue and Bob Hope worked together when he did an episode of “The Golden Girls” in the late 1980s; Mr. Hope adored Rue and the feeling was mutual. Years later, in the mid ’90s, Mr. Hope asked Rue to appear on one of his television specials and, of course, she was thrilled to do so. This portrait was taken during that appearance. Trivia Fact #1 – Rue used this portrait in her memoir and the publisher’s tag is still on the back. Trivial Fact #2 – Rue was wearing a dress from a episode of “The Golden Girls” when she went on Mr. Hope’s show! This original 8″ x 10″ portrait comes with prints of the photos posted and a Certificate of Authenticity from Estate of Rue.

Rue grew up at a time when to be a “family” meant there was a husband, a wife, and at least one child. It took her many years and many marriages to give up on that fantasy and expand on her definition of what a family could be. Rue created a loving and supportive “chosen family” around her in the end; just like the girls did on “The Golden Girls.” Yet, she still would display the idea of the classic family she was hard-wired to believe in in various forms around her home. This little carved elephant group was one of those displays. The three pieces range in size from 2.25″ x 2.25″ inches for the “daddy” down to 1.75″ x 2″ for the “baby.” Rue’s carved wood elephant family comes with a Certificate of Authenticity form Estate of Rue.

One glance will tell you that this hat of Rue’s was definitely for some role she played – it is just too dramatic! Even if the tulle netting, ostrich feather, and sequins didn’t convince you, then certainly the double-stick tape and foam insert put in there so the hat would stay firmly on her head would do the trick – this hat is from a project, we just don’t know which one. Therefore, this “Sonni of San Fransisco” number is being listed as one of Rue’s personal hats from her closet. The entire piece is about 10″ across and about 8″ high, but it is malleable and so those measurements can change. The firm woven part is about 7″ x 6″ and it has a double row of sequins inside the brim. Because of the big feather, Rue kept the hat in a solid hat box – 12″ x 4.5″ – and we’ll include the box with the hat. Also comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Isn’t this a wonderful piece of art? Rue found this handmade beaded purse during a trip to Tangiers and she had to have it. It is very thin and holds practically nothing, so it is more a piece for displaying rather than a purse to actually carry; and besides, the 40″ beaded strap blew some beads – Rue taped it with some painters tape that was handy – so it really is being sold as a work or art and not a functional purse. The piece measures 13.5″ x 9.5″ and it comes with a Certificate of Authenticity from Estate of Rue.

Rue hung onto this cheap plastic heart for over 25 years! It came inside of a Hallmark Valentine’s Day card and survived in her jewelry box from 1985 until her death in 2010. Here is the surprise. We were looking through old pictures and found a shot of her from Valentine’s Day in 1985 and look what is stuck on her sleeve. Can you believe it? We actually have a photograph of her wearing this thing! We’ll send this item with a 4″ x 6″ print of the picture and a Certificate of Authenticity from Estate of Rue. This has to be the deal of the century!

In 1972 Rue starred with Will Hare in an Off-Broadway production of “Dylan.” Rue described it as the type of show where a theatre actor can fully experience being an actor. She loved the role and made some friends during the production that remained friends for life. Rue kept these three framed stage stills from the show up on her walls as a reminder of these halcyon days. The custom-framed original stills are almost 45 years old and there is some damage that has been done after all those years of California and New York City heat/cold/humidity/dryness. You can see some fogginess, but we don’t know if that is on the photos or the glass, and we don’t want to jeopardize the integrity of the pieces by starting to tear them apart. Rue’s three framed stage stills from “Dylan” come with a Certificate of Authenticity from Estate of Rue.